While there is no clinical definition of what constitutes a ‘gummy smile’ and having one doesn’t usually present any kind of clinical issue or problem, having a ‘gummy smile’ is one of the most common complaints we hear from patients. Symmetrical, photogenic, even looking smiles are more important now than ever, and having ‘too much’ gum on display when you smile can lead you to feeling self-conscious about yours. If this is the case, then our team here at Square Mile Dental Centre can help you find the smile you’ve been looking for.
Conditions
Gummy Smile
About this Condition
Having a ‘gummy smile’ simply means that there is more of the gum on display when you smile than is considered ‘normal’. This could be because of the shape and size of your teeth or having a shorter / smaller upper lip or hypermobile lips. There are also some medications
that cause the gums to grow around the teeth, otherwise known as gingival hyperplasia, which in turn can lead to gum/periodontal disease.
Whether you want to treat your gummy smile for aesthetic reasons, or are concerned about periodontal disease, there are a range of treatment options available for patients looking to address their gummy smile including:
- Crown lengthening reveals more of the natural tooth surface by removing gum tissue, allowing the tooth to appear larger and take up more space in the smile,
- Laser gum contouring works in the same way as crown lengthening, but uses a laser to remove the unwanted gum tissue,
- Botox prevents the movement of a hypermobile lip which can often be the root cause of a ‘gummy smile’,
- Veneers or crowns can help the tooth appear longer and larger, reducing the appearance of the gum when you smile,
- Root planing / scaling removes plaque from the teeth including under the gum and up to the root, the tooth root is then smoothed out, encouraging the gum to reattach.
Related Treatments
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